16-year-old Keisha with friends in Drury yesterday. Photo / Doug Sherring
16-year-old Keisha with friends in Drury yesterday. Photo / Doug Sherring
KEY POINTS:
There's no mistaking that bump behind Keisha Castle-Hughes' blue apron: the girl who plays the Virgin Mary in Nativity Story is home in New Zealand for Christmas - and awaiting a baby of her own.
As these exclusive first pictures of pregnant Keisha show, the 16-year-old Oscar nomineeis enjoying a typical Kiwi Christmas hanging out with family and friends - and preparing for motherhood with her teen partner, Bradley Hull.
The family enjoyed a casual afternoon at her mother's home in rural Drury yesterday - miles from the international publicity that has dogged Keisha since she announced her shock pregnancy almost three months ago.
The teen star of Whale Rider had just finished playing the Virgin Mary in the Hollywood movie when the story broke, scandalising conservative Christian groups. Keisha has been reported as saying that playing the mother of Jesus brought "spiritual richness" to her life.
Since then she has been working in Adelaide on a new movie, Hey Hey, It's Esther Blueburger, with Australian star Toni Collette. But success hasn't changed her love of the quiet life - last week she was spotted shopping in Hamilton, while Bradley was seen loading presents into their car.
